Hi Boys and Girls - National Post has been running articles and letters, partly to educate their readers about the "hobby". Some of you will find this letter of interest ......
National Post - Published: Saturday, March 18, 2006
Re: Legalize Prostitution, editorial, March 4.
I can appreciate the varied opinions on prostitution, because I am a female provider/prostitute who has worked in many areas of the North American industry. I started out working the streets for a pimp and eventually ended up working for agencies and in the casinos of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. When I was 26, I began working as an "independent" on the Internet.
It doesn't matter to me personally whether prostitution is decriminalized. The bulk of the industry is almost undetectable anyway. Street prostitution is just a tiny tip of the iceberg. The vast majority of women in the industry are older (25+) and quite "normal." We work where we attract no attention and cause no problems. We are Black, white, Asian, fat, skinny, students, artists, athletes, educators, small business owners, lazy, workaholics, gay, straight, transgendered, sisters, moms, grandmothers -- you name it!
Of course, there are providers who have some problems, but please remember these problems are not exclusive to the sex industry. Alcohol, drugs, abusive relationships, physical and mental health issues, as well as the occasional underage provider can be found. These problems, compounded with the stress and shame that often develop around this industry, can become a slippery slope that only the strongest will be able to pull themselves up from.
The main issue I have with the industry as it is now is there is no support as a community. We have to work underground, cut off from one another, in order to stay safe from criminal prosecution. This makes the industry very lonely and secretive, and puts our physical safety in jeopardy. Also, the women who are having personal difficulties have no one to turn to that will understand what we go through every day. Because of this secrecy, it's unlikely that an underage provider would be noticed.
I'm now 34, and I retired from visiting with clients nearly five years ago. I now have a little business that employs seven people (most of them former prostitutes). We have a Web site that screens the men, creating a network of "safe clients," and we are very fortunate to make a good living today. I have no need to go back to visiting with clients, although I would, in a heartbeat, if I decided that's what I wanted to do.
All I can hope for is for some real understanding for the women in this industry. Perhaps in my lifetime I will see some work toward empowering women who are in the industry, but right now there is too much self-righteous indignation about how these poor women can't think for themselves.
We are out there, and we are strong ... even though we are for the most part silent. Don't underestimate us!
Name withheld upon request. © National Post 2006
National Post - Published: Saturday, March 18, 2006
Re: Legalize Prostitution, editorial, March 4.
I can appreciate the varied opinions on prostitution, because I am a female provider/prostitute who has worked in many areas of the North American industry. I started out working the streets for a pimp and eventually ended up working for agencies and in the casinos of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. When I was 26, I began working as an "independent" on the Internet.
It doesn't matter to me personally whether prostitution is decriminalized. The bulk of the industry is almost undetectable anyway. Street prostitution is just a tiny tip of the iceberg. The vast majority of women in the industry are older (25+) and quite "normal." We work where we attract no attention and cause no problems. We are Black, white, Asian, fat, skinny, students, artists, athletes, educators, small business owners, lazy, workaholics, gay, straight, transgendered, sisters, moms, grandmothers -- you name it!
Of course, there are providers who have some problems, but please remember these problems are not exclusive to the sex industry. Alcohol, drugs, abusive relationships, physical and mental health issues, as well as the occasional underage provider can be found. These problems, compounded with the stress and shame that often develop around this industry, can become a slippery slope that only the strongest will be able to pull themselves up from.
The main issue I have with the industry as it is now is there is no support as a community. We have to work underground, cut off from one another, in order to stay safe from criminal prosecution. This makes the industry very lonely and secretive, and puts our physical safety in jeopardy. Also, the women who are having personal difficulties have no one to turn to that will understand what we go through every day. Because of this secrecy, it's unlikely that an underage provider would be noticed.
I'm now 34, and I retired from visiting with clients nearly five years ago. I now have a little business that employs seven people (most of them former prostitutes). We have a Web site that screens the men, creating a network of "safe clients," and we are very fortunate to make a good living today. I have no need to go back to visiting with clients, although I would, in a heartbeat, if I decided that's what I wanted to do.
All I can hope for is for some real understanding for the women in this industry. Perhaps in my lifetime I will see some work toward empowering women who are in the industry, but right now there is too much self-righteous indignation about how these poor women can't think for themselves.
We are out there, and we are strong ... even though we are for the most part silent. Don't underestimate us!
Name withheld upon request. © National Post 2006
